Interpretive Summary: Caterpillars of many species of moths damage plants and are major pests. Species of one of the genera feed on many crops grown in the U. S. including corn, asparagus, potatoes, and cabbage. In this paper we correct an ongoing misidentification of two species and make them easier to identify. This work will be of importance to insect identifiers, scientists studying moth classification and pest managers.

Technical Abstract:
Members of the genus Copitarsia Hampson (Noctuidae) are widespread pests of many agricultural commodities in Central and South America. Two species, C. incommoda (Walker) and C. turbata (Herrich-Schäffer), are of particular concern because they have been confused with each other in the literature and in identified material. This paper re-describes these species and distinguishes them from each other using adult morphology. Additionally, C. turbata is placed as a NEW SYNONYM to C. decolora (Guenée), C. margaritella (Dognin) is placed as a junior synonym to C. decolora (REVISED SYNONYM), and C. hampsoni (Brèthes) is designated as a NEW SYNONYM of C. incommoda.